Today’s ceremony at the ruins of Ebenezer A.M.E. on Bacton Hill Road today literally made me cry. I was so overcome with emotion that the ruin and cemetery are finally getting well-deserved recognition and attention. #thisplacematters , all 184 years of it.

When I got to the graveyard, people were assembling. Media, neighbors, passers-by who decided to pull over and stop, descendants of those souls buried there, a representative from the East Whiteland Historical Commission, some of my “Ladies of Ebenezer”, the Willistown Troop 78 Scouts, Luke Phayre the Eagle Scout and his family (including his mom Kathy and grandfather) , many local veterans, three member of the East Whiteland Police Department, WCU Student Veterans Group members, and Al Terrell.

It was so overwhelming to me, it truly was such a beautiful sight. It was indeed something I was not sure I would ever see and among other things I so wished Ann Christie had lived long enough to see this happen – which is why some of the Ladies of Ebenezer were there today – we had made Ann a promise because she truly loved the site and had tried for years before my interest to get to this point. We also felt today we were able to honor her, along with the black Civil War soldiers and other souls buried at Ebenezer. After so many decades of truly wanton neglect, these people were honored.

It was long overdue, but our very history is often such a cruel mistress.

Our ceremony was opened by Luke Phayre. He spoke about his project and thanked people who have been helping him. He spoke very well and is truly a poised and wonderful young man.

Captain Howard A. Crawford, USAF, MSC (Ret) who is the Commander of the West Chester American Legion Post 134 (Bernard Schlegel Post) spoke simply and eloquently

“We’re here today to honor Civil War soldiers…African American soldiers that died…[who] weren’t given the honors of a true [military] burial.”

His son played taps for the soldiers on a bugle. Veterans gave a military rifle salute, and if memory serves I think it is called a three volley salute.

And East Whiteland Police Department sent three representatives. These fine gentlemen came in full uniform and participated. I was so touched that they wanted to do this, especially today when they were on their way to bury a former brother officer who had served with them and passed away. At a time in this country when people are so darn critical of our men in blue – like those Bryn Mawr College students this week for example – I think these are the quiet moments that most police critics tend to overlook that speak volumes as to the characters of those who serve. Bravo, East Whiteland Police Department. Such a generous gesture on your own day of loss.

In a nation currently torn asunder by varying political factions and beliefs, those of us involved at Ebenezer are humbled by this kind gesture on the part of Chester County veterans and local police and others who believe in our quest to save Ebenezer and honor those buried here.

Today we saw people leave their politics at home and come together. It was such a poignant and beautiful thing to be part of the week before Thanksgiving. This is what it means to come together and be Americans. There was no race, creed, color, or political divide we were all just Americans coming together to honor our dead. It was so inspiring and true and good a thing. Days like this give us all hope.

If last week was a statement game, this week could be the exclamation point. Most of the pundits did not think the Eagles would handle the Falcons' high-flying offense. They were wrong. The Birds stuffed the Falcons run game and then managed to keep Matt Ryan and Julio Jones in check. And yes, Jones helped considerably with a couple of most uncharacteristic drops.Things get a lot tougher this week. The Birds have to fly across the country to face the Seahawks in what is likely the toughest, loudest venue in the NFL.This could be a very long day for Carson Wentz and the Eagles' pedestrian receivers. If they have a prayer in this contest, it is to build a carbon copy of last week's effort. Run the football, bang away at the Seahawks with Ryan Mathews and Wendell Smallwood. Carson Wentz is not going to be beat this defense on his own.On the other side of the ball, the Eagles defense needs to put pressure on Russell Wilson, and also be aware of his ability to move. They will need to be disciplined, stay in their lanes and contain him. The Eagles defensive line should be able to handle their foes on the other side of the ball. And special teams is an area where the Eagles continue to have the edge over most opponents.I don't think the Eagles are going to get blown out by Seattle. They will be in the game. I just don't know how this offense can produce enough points to get the win. Those worries are not helped by nagging injuries for Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz, really the only two weapons Wentz has. And one other thing: While the Eagles are starting to build a serious home-field advantage at the Linc, going 4-0 this season, they struggle on the road, with a 1-4 mark. And they also get off to very slow starts. That's not a good combination. The Pick: Make it Seahawks 24, Eagles 13. Maybe the most difficult place to play in the NFL. That will make things very hard on Carson Wentz, let alone facing one of the top defenses in the league. If the Birds steal this one, it likely will be their defense and special teams doing the bulk of the work. I don't see Carson Wentz and these receivers doing much against this defense. Last Week: One of my better picks of the year. As usual I was not completely sold on the Falcons, and the Eagles are starting to develop some serious karma at Lincoln Financial Field. A really good game for Doug Pederson, his decisions and play-calling. The Eagles' offense controlled the game and kept Matty Ice off the field for much of the afteroon. They need a repeat performance this week in Seattle. The win lifts me to 4-5 on the season, while the Birds sit at 5-4 and looking to continue what is a most unexpected playoff push. Game by Game: Eagles 24, Falcons 15 (My Pick: Eagles 31, Falcons 29) Giants 28, Eagles 23 (My Pick: Eagles 24, Giants 17)Cowboys 29, Eagles 23 (My Pick: Cowboys 29, Eagles 24)Eagles 21, Vikings 10 (My Pick: Vikings 26, Eagles 13) Redskins 27, Eagles 20 (My Pick: Eagles 24, Redskins 23)Lions 24, Eagles 23 (My Pick: Eagles 31, Lions 10)Eagles 34, Steelers 3 (My Pick: Steelers, 26, Eagles 23)Eagles 29, Bears 14 (My Pick: Eagles 24, Bears 16)Eagles 29, Browns 10 (My Pick: Eagles 19, Browns 13)

I purchased some absolutely beautiful cranberries from Pine Barrens Native Fruits this year and today I made the Cranberry Sauce.

Cranberry sauce is so easy to make. All it is for me is 2 dry quarts of cranberries, 2 1/2 cups of orange juice, cinnamon sticks, crystallized ginger minced, 2 cups sugar , other assorted spices including cardamom,ginger , nutmeg , and powdered cinnamon. True that I add a pinch of salt, and to quartered navel oranges skin on. I also add a couple tablespoons of fruit pectin to help at jell even more.

I cook it down by close to half and then I remove the orange peel (The fruit by this time has basically cooked off each quarter of orange ) and cinnamon sticks and then I jar it.

I don’t do the canning bath for this. When the jars are cool I tighten the lids and refrigerate it. I basically only make enough to get through Thanksgiving and Christmas and then I make a fresh batch the following year.

The Daily Numbers: 1 million dollar drug bust in Darby Township. 1 person in custody and several others being sought.2 kilograms of cocaine seized.125 pounds of high-grade “hydro” pot.153 pounds of high-grade organic pot.12.5 to 50 years in jail for a Media man on child porn charges.200 lives lost to opioid abuse in 2015 in Delaware County.1.25 percent tax hike being eyed in Marple Township.0 tax hike proposed in Ridley Park.5 years, how long it’s been since teachers in Chester Upland had a pay increase.1,200 days, how long it’s been since they had a new contract.20, age of Drexel student charged with flying drone near copters over protest in Philly.11 percent tax hike being proposed in Montgomery County.400 homes being proposed by Toll Brothers on a 322-acre tract of the Crebilly Farm in Westtown.30,000 jobs being cut by Volkswagen.5-2 win for the Flyers over the Winnipeg Jets last night.30 saves for Steve Mason.0 minutes played for Shane Gostisbehere. He was a healthy scratch, coach’s decision. In other words, he was benched.110-86 blowout loss for the Sixers in Minnesota.35 points for Andrew Wiggins.25 points for Karl Anthony Towns.10 points, ,10 rebounds for Joel Embiid in just 23 minutes.

I have written many times about my so-called bucket list. That, of course, is that list of things you want to do before you die.Zooming up that list is to have one day when I do not touch a device, when I am unplugged.No email, no Twitter, No Facebook.Whenever I am out speaking to groups, I am always asked about the challenges of the job. Certainly there are no shortage of daunting issues facing the newspaper business and industry in general.But one of them - one not often written about - is the horrific toll that the 24-hour news cycle and our mania for being "plugged in" is taking on us. And it's not just journalists. It's society in general.I fear we are going to wake up one day - not nearly as far off as I once thought - and realize the price we are paying for our need to constantly be consuming information and social media.Turns out I'm not the only one.One of the first tweets I saw this morning was from a former co-worker who indicated she was about to "unplug" for the evening. I know, it used to be normal. Not anymore. And kudos to my college at the New Haven Register Randall Beach. He's also writing about it.Now if you'll excuse me I have a website to update. And Tweets to push.Life goes on. Unfortunately, it's a life I don't think any of would have recognized just a few years ago.

Yesterday I joked about one of the less serious - it not less important - issues in the state. That would be the slow drip of the state moving out of the Dark Ages when it comes to the sale of booze. Yes, we're taking baby steps. Yes, we still have a long way to go.I'm the state's foremost proponent of privatization. Never thought I'd have that in common with House Speaker Republican Mike Turzai.But let's not kid ourselves.It's not exactly the most pressing issue in the state.What is?Well, we address it on today's editorial page.The state is going broke.Again.Stop me if you're heard this before. It's really past time for our elected leaders to get serious about the state's serious issues, and our yawning deficit should be at the top of that list.

Looks like maybe my annual pre-winter weather challenge could be challenged this weekend. But not today.If you're considering calling in sick and taking a long pre-holiday weekend, this might be your day.After a chilly start, it's expected to get close to 70 under sunny skies later this afternoon.Not too shabby for Nov. 18.Actually, tomorrow also is looking like a winner.It's Sunday when we're going to be shocked back to reality. Yes, winter is coming. And it's going to feel like it Sunday, with a fierce wind bringing much colder temperatures with the thermometer struggling to reach the high 40s.All of which means my annual challenge not to don a winter coat until after Thanksgiving could be in jeopardy.Yeah, that ride to work Monday might get ugly.Here's the full forecast.TGIF!

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